// Deborah Ballinger Illustrations Kickstarter

If you’re yet to check out the work of amazing illustrator Deborah Ballinger now is the perfect time. With her debut line of unisex t-shirts about to launch she is looking to the public to help with the funding of this brilliant project through Kickstarter.

I first met Deborah three years ago when we both completed a young entrepreneurs course with the Prince’s Trust in Brighton, where fate would have it we found ourselves sitting next to each other. I was immediately taken by her skills and natural talent as an illustrator; working mainly in pencil she creates beautifully detailed images featuring woodland creatures, mythical beasts and flowers among others.

For her range of T-shirts, Deborah has chosen four of her popular surface patterns, Spiritual Alchemy, Crystal Points, Bones and Flora and Fauna to print as sublimation designs.

“Printed on gorgeous American Apparel t-shirts, my sublimation tees feature my pencil surface designs from edge to edge. Sublimation dye printing is an innovative and unique way of achieving all over print, direct to the garment, without having to have the fabric printed separately. This bespoke print process is wonderfully scientific; designs are printed onto high quality transfer paper which is then heat pressed on a large format press to release the dye particles into the t-shirts. What’s more, each t-shirt is printed directly here in the UK using a small printing studio in London. A firm believer in buying local and supporting small business I’ve made sure to translate these beliefs into my new t-shirt line!”

I pre-ordered one of the T-shirts (‘Alchemy’) before Christmas and I can personally verify that they are amazing! The print quality is superb, with really vivid colours. The fact that the print is all over is really unique and super stylish too! It was a tough choice because I really love the crystal print too!

Being part of the handmade community I have many friends that seem to work twice as hard as other people, and I have to say that Deborah is honestly one of the most crazy hardworking people I’ve ever met, and it’s been so nice watching her independent business grow. I know that it would mean so much to her to see this new venture become a reality so I really encourage everyone to back the kickstarter and get it off the ground! All pledges get fantastic rewards worth much more than what you’re giving, so it’s really a win-win senario!